Do you think kids should be barred from pubs and resturants after a set time?

Licensing chiefs are considering the implementation of a curfew – and the public will be asked to have their say on how the sale of alcohol is regulated in the capital.

At present the times children and young people are allowed into licensed premises is determined on a case by case basis.

As part of the consultation people are also being asked whether they think there are too many licensed premises in the city, and if closing hours should be varied for premises depending on where they are located.

The new policy will be published in November and will apply until 2022.

What do you think? Have your say in our poll at the bottom of this article.

What are the current rules?

In restaurants and hotels in the city the curfew is generally 11pm, while it is 1am for young people aged 16 and 17. Children can also generally remain on the premises until 1am when a private function is taking place, and accompanied by an adult.

In pubs this varies between 8pm and 10pm for children, and is generally 11pm for young people. However some pubs do not welcome children at all and on occasion families have even been turned away.

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What options are there?

Following feedback from residents, visitors, traders, emergency services and health professionals, the board could decide to go with the status quo approach where children are allowed on a case-by-case basis.

However the draft Statement of Licensing Policy indicates that set curfews could be established instead.

The board is also considering developing guidelines as to what would constitute an event of "national or local significance" where premises could apply for extended hours.

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Should children be banned from pubs and restaurants in Edinburgh after set times?

0+ VOTES SO FAR

What are people saying about this?

Councillor Norman Work, convener of the licensing board, said: “We’ve already had an excellent response from a range of interested parties to initial engagement on the Statement of Licensing Policy, which has helped us prepare a draft policy for formal consultation taking into account issues arising since the last review in 2013.

“I now look forward to hearing the thoughts of the general public, trade representatives, health professionals, the police and others over the coming months.”

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Industry bosses are concerned a blanket curfew could put families off dining at businesses across the city and that the line between pubs and restaurants is often a grey area.

Paul Togneri of the Scottish Beer and Pub Association said: “Tourism is extremely important to Edinburgh and too often we’ve heard stories of tourists with families being turned away because of the restrictions on access for children and young people, whether it be the time or the requirement to have a sit down meal. This sends an unwelcoming message to visitors and is a one of the most common complaints from many.

“The message from industry in Edinburgh is very clear, allow establishments which are sensibly located and appropriately set-up to serve the thousands of families which visit the city and want to dine in locally-owned and family run businesses.”

Within the board’s geographical area there are a total of 1,917 licensed premises, as of March 2018. The board regulates 439 on-sales premises, 513 off-sales and 965 premises offering both types of alcohol sales.

People are being invited to have their say on the pub debate (Image: Getty Images)

Pub goer Brent Millar (70) would prefer it if children weren’t allowed to enter licensed premises.

He said: “When you do go into a pub, as I did, and you see push chairs right in the middle of the bar, I think what is that all about? It becomes a bit like a creche.

“I don’t think there is a place for children in a bar hopping around 10pm or 11pm.

“I think you can’t have everything in life – you can’t have children, drink, social life and everything like you were still in your 20s – you have a massive responsibility. Do you want to have them dotting around while everyone is drinking beer?”

The consultations can be completed on the council website and will run until 1 October.